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Leader (1850-1860), 13th February 1858, Edition 2 of 2, Page 4

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      Imperial Parliament. Monday, February 8t...

      bers brought to justice . " The French Government 'will be dissatisfied with the bill before the House . It will be said that we have been insincere—that ? the den of assassins ' still remains uncleared out ; and , as a consequence , further demands will be made . He thought the Government should have said to the French Emperor , " We cannot make any change in the law of England , but , if any case for prosecution can be pointed out , we will take that course which has been pursued for the last half-century . " He should be ashamed and humiliated in voting for the bill .

      The Solicitor-General said it had been shown over and over again that the law is insufficient as it stands ; but it would have been improper , as suggested by some members , to introduce the measure into the bills for the consolidation of the statute law which are about to be brought forward by the Government under the authority of the Statute Law Commissioners . It was much to be regretted that Mr . Roebuck had introduced into his speech on the previous Friday night such insulting remarks on the personal character of the French Emperor . when

      Mr . Disraeli reminded the House that , an attempt was made by Guiscard to assassinate Mr . Harley , a Privy Councillor , a bill was introduced and passed unanimously , making such an offence , or even an assault on a person in Mr . Harley's position , a felony . And are we to have less consideration for our most powerful and faithful ally ? It was true that the despatch of Count VValewski contained expressions which amounted to the height of impertinence , and that the publication in the Moniteur of the military addresses was an act of signal indiscretion . But the Emperor had frankly and gracefully expressed his regret ; and this should dissipate all feeling of annoyance . It

      should be recollected also that a Cabinet Minister in this country had designated the Emperor of the French a tyrant and usurper ; but the Emperor , being a forgiving and forbearing man , had waived the offence on proper apologies being offered . He ( Mr . Disraeli ) believed that the great body of the English nation wish well to the French ; but he doubted whether the French reciprocate that feeling . Still , it was the duty of the Government to respond to the Emperor ' s appeal for protection from the machinations of his enemies in England . However , it was very doubtful whether this measure would accomplish the object ; but he would vote for leave to bring in the bill , reserving to himself

      the right of ulterior criticism . "Mr . Sidney Herbert wished to know ; among other things , what is the real state of the law ; whether it is true or not that the existing law is sufficient to reach aliens conspiring here against aliens abroad ; whether it is the practice of the English Government , when it receives information from our police , to give notice to that of France ; and what would be the effect of converting a misdemeanour into a felony upon the powers of the police . Lord Palmerston observed that the measure rested upon two grounds—first , that it was an improvement of our law ; secondly , that it was calculated to prevent the recurrence of a crime abroad highly injurious to the interests of this country , as well as derogatory to its honour .

      Mr . Kinglake having withdrawn his amendment , the House divided upon the original motion , which was carried by 299 against 99 , and leave was given to introduce the bill . , SAVINGS-BANKS . On the motion of tho Chancellor of the Exchequer , it was agreed that the Acts relating to savings-banks and their operations should be referred to a select committee . Tho House shortly afterwards adjourned at a quarter to two o ' clock . Wednesday , February 10 th . MAIL CONTRACTS . In tho House of Commons , Mr ... Wilson , in reply to Mr . Macartney , said that , in tho contract of July , 1856 , with the European and Australian Mall Company , no alteration had been made . Also , that tho time of tho existing contract with tho Royal Mail Steam Packet Company , which expires in 1862 , had boon extended for two years , on condition that £ uo company made certain suggested improvements to tho satisfaction of the Board of Admiralty .

      THE OATHS DILL . Lord John Russkll having moved tho second reading of tills bill , Sir Frederick Thbsigmr opposed it , —Mr , Hassard , Mr . Ayrton , Mr . Bagwell , Mr . M'Mahon , and Mr . Mackjirjc , urged objections on tho Roman Catholio ground of tho Papal supremacy . —Mr . Napier thought that tho question as tp tho admission of Jews rwas'rftiso ( l" 1 n't'ft' * Vory'fhtr"mnnnorr- ^ s'Mr . ~ W-AiiPonw-vindl « oatod tho character , object , and torms of tho oath ; while Mr . Roebuck thought it required refashioning with respect to Roman Catholics , booauso tho Pope does in fact oxoroieo spiritual authority over those who belong to his faith . —Sir Gkouciic Grky donlcd that thoPopo has any power hero which can bo unforced ; and Mr . Serjeant Kinolakk took tho same viow . —Mr . Nuwukoatu and Mr . SrooNicn opposed tho bill . —Mr . Bland gave to it a general support . —Mr . Bowykk denied that any oath at all is noacsHury \ but , if thoro is to bo any , ho thought it should be ono which ull persons cuu agroo to .

      —Ultimately , the bill was read a second time , and the committee appointed for that day fortnight . The House adjourned at a quarter past four o clock . Thursday , February 11 th . THE REFORM BILL . la the House of Lords , in answer to some observations by the Earl of Carnarvon , who wanted to know why some information was not given to the House about the proposed Reform Bill , Earl Granville said he could not state the precise time when the bill was to be introduced . That must depend upon the general prospects of the session , and the Government must be allowed to exercise their discretion on the subject . —The Earl of Dekby said that , if the bill was not brought forward at an early period , the Government would be open to the suspicion either that they did not intend to pass it , or that they did not mean to give Parliament due time to consider it . THE PETITION OF THE EAST INDLV COMPANY . Earl Grey presented the petition which the East India Company had drawn up in opposition to the proposed change in the government of our Asiatic Empire . His Lordship supported this document with arguments similar to those employed in it , and contended that the fact of the populace of India not having joined the rising showed that the Company had not misgoverned the country . The interposition of a body of men such as tLe Board of Directors between the Government and the Indian Executive had been productive of great good , and had prevented many acts of injustice . The mutiny , he conceived , had been provoked by the policy of aggression which we had pursued ; but the East India Company had always opposed that policy . He could not , however , agree with the prayer of the petitioners for further inquiry . Such an investigation would probably degenerate into a commission for making charges against the Company .

      The Duke of Argyll admitted that the petition was dignified and temperate \ but it had long been admitted on all sides that some change in the Indian Government is necessary . Even the Company admitted that such is the case , but stipulated for previous inquiry . Now he ( the Duke of Argyll ) thought that such an inquiry would be most impolitic and injurious . A change , however , was absolutely necessary , and it should be recollected that the really Valuable patronage in India would remain in the hands of the Executive at Calcutta , while the home service had been thrown open , since 1853 , to the educated classes of the country at large . It had been said that this is not ¦• the time for making any change ; but he had yet to learn that recent events had shaken our rule in India .

      Lord Ellenborough thought that our empire in India should be re-established before we confide its administration to the Crown . At the present time , the bill would not receive proper attention . —Lord Abing-er attributed the rising to the annexation of Oude ; and moved for correspondence on that subject , but was reminded by Lord Granville that he could not do so , as thor «) was no question before the House . —Earl Derby accused tho Government of discourtesy in not informing the House of the nature of the measure to be introduced . Any legislation on the subject until the revolt was suppressed would be suicidal . Their Lordships adjourned at half-past eight .

      CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES . In the House of Commons , Mr . Divett inquired whether memorials had been received by the Government from different classes of Excise officers for an improvement in their position and salaries , and what course the Government intended to pursue in relation to tho same . —Mr . Wilson stated that the Treasury had received several memorials , very numerously signed . They wore from all classes of officers serving in tho Excise department , and he need not inform tho House that a matter affecting 8000 public servants must command the grave attention of the Government . During last autumn , an inquiry was instituted , and the result had been that instructions had been given to frame tho estimates for the present year upon an increased rate of salaries . Ho regretted , however , to say , that the officers of Excise had entered into an unseemly agitation to effoct their object . MINISTER OF JUSTICE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR . In reply to Mr . William Ewart , Lord Palmbrston said the question of the establishment of a Minister of Justico was one that hud received tho attention of the Government . Tho only model on which such an appointment could bo made was the Minister of Justico in France , whose function-and powers were wholly incompatible with tho constitution in this country . With regard to tho office of Public Prosecutor , no stops had yet boon taken to carry out tho rocommomlution of the conamlttoe . — ¦— " - *— ' — ¦ > . " * - ¦>• -. — , — , „ Sir John" Ramsdhn laid tho Army Estimates on tho table . JOINT STOCK BANKS .. Mr . HnApLAM moved for leave to bring in a bill to abolish tho distinction between Joint Stock Banks nnd other bunking eompunios , with reference to tho liabilities of thoir partners , by enabling such banks to limit tho liability of tho shareholders . Ho proposed to provide for tho most eomploto publicity as to tho amount of tho original capita ) , and as to how much had boon paid tip j urnl he designed to put Joint Stock Banks in tho amno

      position as other Joint Stock Companies . —The motion was seconded by Mr . Slaney . —The Chancellor of the Exchequer , though dissenting from some of Mr . Headlam ' s views , and inclined to think that depositors rely very much on the unlimited liability of the shareholders , assented to the motion for the introduction of the bill . — After a brief discussion , leave was given . NATIONAL EDUCATION . Sir John Pakington moved " That an humble address be presented to her Majesty , praying that she will be graciously pleased to issue a commission to inquire into the present system of popular education in England , and whether the present system is or is not sufficient for its object , and to consider and report what changes , if any , are required for the extension of sound and cheap elementary instruction to all classes of the people . " He alluded in general terms to the prevalence of i gnorance in the country , to the inadequate provision for education , and to the necessity which appeared to him to exist for making a change in the system of education carried out in connexion with the Committee of Council—a system which is expensive

      without being efficient .- —The motion was seconded by Lord Stanley . —Mr . Hardy thought that ' the department of education had . ample means of inquiry , and could effect it in a cheaper and more satisfactory way than a commission . —Mr . Hadfield and Mr . Hope opposed the motion , and protested against State assistance in any shape for the purposes of education . —Mr . Akroyd and Mr . W . J . Fox were in favour of inquiry . —Mr . Adderley thought it would be unwise to interfere with the existing system , which had worked well . —Mr . Cowper entertained a similar view ; but , admitting that further information on some points would be desirable , he said he should be willing to support Sir John Pakington ' s motion if it were confined to an inquiry into the present state of education in England . He objected , however , to any inquiry into the efficiency or inefficiency of the present system , or whether any ,

      and what , changes are desirable . —Mr . Holey opposed the motion , and thought it would be very arbitrary to arm a commission with power to intrude into private schools . There was much in the controversy , moreover , which should put the friends of religion on their guard .- ^ Lord John Russell warmly supported the motion , and said that the opposition to it was only a renewal of that which had been offered to every proposal for the furtherance of education . —Mr . Briscoe protested against ' the motion being mutilated . —Sir John Pakington , in reply , thought it would be better to abandon . the motion altogether than to prevent , by a compromise , the inquiry being bond Jide . He would not object , however , to omitting the words , " and whether the present is or is not sufficient for its object . "—Mr . Cowper thought that alteration would meet his view . —On the House dividing , there appeared—For the motion , 110 ; against , 49 : majority , 61 .

      On the motion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer , the Select Committee on Savings Banks was nominated . Lady Havelock ' s and Sir Henry IIavelociv's Annuities Bill was read a third time , and passed . The House adjourned at nine o ' clock .

      148 The Leader. [No. 412, Pebbtjart 13, ...

      148 THE LEADER . [ No . 412 , Pebbtjart 13 , 1885 .

      Naval And Military. An Effective Home Fl...

      NAVAL AND MILITARY . An Effective Home Fleet . —Tho Coastguard squadron , heretofore consisting of mere hulks , such as tho Southampton , Majander , Mclampua , Amphitrite , Conway , & c , are now being replaced by effuctive auxiliary screw propeller lin & -of-battlo ships . But not only are the Coastguard ships to bo kept in a state for i in media to sea service ; effective screw ships will bo substituted for tho sailing three-deckers which now bear tho flags of tho Admirals Superintendent at Portsmouth nnd Devonport . Tho Victory and Impregnable , which are more .

      like harbour dop & ts than anything else , will remain as flag ships , seeing that a certain staff must always bo kept up , which staff must be for tho time domiciled in a stationary ship ; but tho St . Vincent will bo very well exchanged for tho Duke of Wellington , nnd the Koyal William at Dovenport for the Royal Sovereign , or somo other screw thrcd-deckor . Tho depot ships for tho stoum reserve At tho different ports are also being exchanged for others of a larger class—tho Kxmoutli , 91 , for the Ajax , 60 , and tho Hannibal , 91 , for tho Blonhoim , (> 0 . — United Service Gazette .

      Supposed Loss of an Australian Suit . —Captain Clark , of tho Auohnoagh , which arrived at Melbourne on ^ ho 12 th of December , has reported that , wlien in latitude 50 dog . 40 min . S ., and longitude S 8 dog . K ., ho sighted four largo icoborgs ; and that on tho 16 th of November , in latitude 49 dog . 16 min ., and longitude 45 dog . E ., ho passed about one-half of Iho hull of u largo ship , apparently not long in tho water . Other relies- ^ vere-afterwarda-soonj-and- ^ tlie-i ) ainful ~ -pi iobttbilily , _ appears to bo that they belonged to some Australian ship which had boon wrecked .

      Shipwreck . —Tho following melancholy notification was found in a corked bottle by Mr . Smith , of tho Warren , Minohoad , Somersetshire , on tho Oth instnnt : — " On board tho schooner Lavina . of Boston , from Quubuu for London , long . 0 . 42 , lat . 07 . —Must gone by tho board , pumps cliokod , nnd tho schooner going down ; crow , ton iit all , taken to tho boats . God in inoroy pi'osorvo us all!—James Walker , Second Mate . — -Jan . **¦» 1857 . ''

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 13, 1858, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_13021858/page/4/